Free State - The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the Free State is expected to begin its first day, of the two day 25th Game Auction taking place at the department owned Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve today.
According to the department, it is the oldest government auction in South Africa, attracting buyers from across the country and abroad. Last year, the game auction successfully generated a revenue of R10 million with the highest bid being R209 000 for a four year old white rhino.
This year, 1362 animals, from 18 species, are up for bidding and will be sold to the highest bidders. They range from Springbuck, Kudu, Blesbok, Buffalo, Sable and Ostrich.
Deputy Director for Conservation in the department, Flip Crouse, said their bidders include professional hunters, game farmers and sports farmers. He said each game reserve has a capacity number and numbers have to be controlled either by auction or natural predators.
The department said it's also placing more emphasis on previously disadvantaged individuals by providing animals or land to black farmers with adequate resources and who have interest in the industry, as part of transforming the gaming industry.
